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Nov 30, 2023 18:00pm

Aroma

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The smells of the season fill the air, wafting in on the cold breeze. There are distinct aromas that stir up memories of years past. Apple cider, roasted marshmallows, pumpkin bread, cinnamon apple candles, caramel, apple pies, burning hickory and cedar in fireplaces, campfires, and sauteed vegetables warming up to be the base for delicious dressings and soups are some of the most distinct smells. The smell of leaves burning fills the air, as people continue the eternal cycle of cleaning up the falling leaves. The scents of pine trees and evergreens send waves of fall through the air. Even the cold air has a certain aroma to it. These fragrances just feel like fall and winter.

In 2 Corinthians 2:14-17, Paul speaks about God leading His people in triumphal procession as we spread the aroma of the gospel everywhere we go.

“But thanks be to God, who always leads us as captives in Christ’s triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere. For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task? Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God.”

When Paul referenced the aroma of triumphal procession, his audience would immediately have a word picture that symbolizes what it means to live out the gospel boldly.

During the early centuries, there were often celebrations following a conquest. The Romans were best known for having these elaborate celebrations, sometimes called Victory Parades or Roman Triumphal Victory Processions. They would most often be led by the general who led the army to victory, known as the Triumphator, which was the highest honor a Roman could achieve. The Triumphator would wear a special toga as they led a procession of the victorious warriors, a parade of the loot/treasure taken captive in war…and bringing up the end of the procession, the prisoners of war would be paraded, showing every on-looker how powerful they were.

During these Triumphal processions, flowers and garlands would be thrown in front of the parade, releasing a distinct scent as the victorious warriors trampled them. Also, incense would be burned, mixing with the floral aroma, coming together as a well-known aroma that symbolized life and victory to the Romans/conquerors. To the rebel captives, the smell was one that symbolized their impending death.

So, when Paul wrote that Christ leads us in triumphal procession and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him everywhere, this is making a much deeper statement than we, in our modern time, might realize.

First of all, Paul tells us that God ALWAYS leads as Triumphator and uses us to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Him EVERYWHERE. God is always victorious, and He uses us everywhere we go. We are called to be the aroma of the knowledge of God, not just on a mission trip or when we are teaching a class, but EVERYWHERE He allows us to go.

Also, God is victorious, even when we don’t see the victory. He calls us to live out our faith and the gospel and trust Him with the results. In Mark 10:17-22, we can read about a time when Jesus was approached by a rich man. The man wanted to know what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus didn’t just directly explain the gospel. Instead, He addressed the man’s heart, his presuppositions. Jesus cared deeply and wanted this man to grasp what it would really mean to become a Christian. Scripture tells us that He saw the man and loved him enough to take His time to help the man see his actual need for salvation. The man, ultimately, left Jesus, unwilling to give up his idols. But, Jesus would say this was a victory still, because success in evangelism isn’t dependent on conversion numbers. It has everything to do with sharing the message of the gospel and sharing the aroma of the knowledge of Christ. Jesus made the man aware of his sin and his need to give over his whole heart, so that was success.

Wherever God allows you to go in your life, during the mundane and the exciting days alike, God calls you to spread the aroma of the knowledge of Christ. This will be a sweet aroma for those who embrace Him as Lord of their lives. It might be a bitter, unwelcome smell to those who haven’t chosen to accept Him as Lord yet. This doesn’t mean we just give up and move on. 2 Corinthians 2:15 tells us that we are an aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. God may use you to plant or reaffirm a sweet aroma that will lead that person to Him at a later time. Ultimately, we are accountable to God, not man. So, our focus should be to live out the gospel boldly, bringing a pleasant aroma wherever we go. In all circumstances, we bring a fragrance that comes as we live out the triumphal procession of the gospel we profess.